USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Southbridge > Town annual reports of the officers of Southbridge for the year ending 1957-1961 > Part 61
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The typewriting room is equipped with both manual and electric typewriters. Comptometers, rotary calculators, and an IBM punch machine are used in the calculators course. The office practice room offers courses in filing and in general busi- ness forms. It is equipped with an Audograph transcribing machine, a Mimeograph, a spirit duplicator, and eight type- writers.
The cooperative program with industry is in operation as long as industry favors it, and as long as the school is able to supply industry with students. This program alternates work weeks with instruction weeks.
The English Department
During 1959 and 1960 six girls, Pauline French, Dolores Lach, Martha McMaster, Margaret Langevin, Linda Dionne, Marcia Grandone, received 100 percent in the two National Office Management Association spelling tests.
John Harrald, after qualifying for a nation-wide theme com- petition through his grades on the National Merit Scholarship examinations, won $100, awarded by the Boeing Airplane Com- pany of Seattle, Washington.
A specific attack on the problem of improving reading skills took the form of a twenty-week course prepared by Science Research Associates, Incorporated, being given to all English classes, grades 9 through 12. Through the course, drill on both rate and comprehension of reading revealed both above average and below average in the skills. The results had value in diag- nosis of faults and in improvement in the skills. Since ability to read affects marks in every subject, and since college-bound pupils are advised to achieve a rate of 250-295 words a minute, the value of such a course is obvious.
This year special preparation of eleventh and twelfth grade pupils to take over sixty College Board Examinations in some phase of English has been a regular part of our work.
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Foreign Language Department
Three years of French and Latin are offered in our high school. The immediate aim of the foreign language program is to develop the student's ability to read, write, and understand the language and to speak it correctly.
Provision for individual differences is made by offering three levels of assignment to students capable of progressing at their own pace and by giving liberal individual help to students who wish it.
This year we have been very fortunate in having a Language Laboratory to assist our students with pronunciation, correct grammar, and also the recording of their own voices. All booths are equipped with earphones, microphones, and tape recorders.
Each student can record his own voice and communicate directly with the teacher at the master control panel. The teach- er can address one or all of the students in the booths. She can also listen to one or all of the students by means of the inter-com system. We are certain that the language laboratory will be of great value.
Mathematics Department
The Mathematics Department has continued the format of the past several years but has initiated a new course; namely, Modern Mathematics.
The Modern Mathematics course acquaints the student with the concepts and necessary working tools of modern math- ematics. Modern Mathematics is not a new discovery, not a new kind of mathematics, but a re-emphasis upon the whole struc- ture of mathematics, so necessary in our rapidly advancing tech- nological age.
The newly purchased mathematics equipment serves two purposes. First, it illustrates and strengthens in the student's mind the basic mathematical ideas. It also serves as a stimulus for individual study and research.
Social Studies Department
This year we are offering for the first time a course in Con- temporary Civilization. It is an honors course limited to seniors of high academic standing.
This course is presented in the hope that it will make a significant contribution toward preparing students for the chal- lenges of their time. It is a summary and interpretation of signi- ficant events and trends of the immediate present, and seeks to provide the student with the facts he needs to put the present scene into perspective.
Much stress is put on research and oral presentation by the
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student. Debates will be given by members of this class at school assemblies.
We hope to present at least one forum assembly by foreign students from nearby universities.
Beginning next year, we hope to have the Social Studies Department so organized that a course will be available to a student of any class at general or college level.
It is our plan to present United States History in two courses, one elective and one required. The elective course would cover the time period from early explorations to the adminis- tration of Theodore Roosevelt. The required course would cover the time period from the Theodore Roosevelt administration to the present. Current events will be correlated with all Social Studies courses.
We are constantly striving to offer that course of studies in Social Studies which will best help the student acquire know- ledge and skills essential for good citizenship, an appreciation of our American heritage and democratic way of life, and an understanding of other peoples which will help build a stronger base for peace.
Chemistry
This year chemistry is being offered under two titles.
College Chemistry which, as in the past, has for its primary objective preparation for entrance into college. The usual areas are being covered. However, the emphasis is away from the de- scriptive aspects and industrial applications and toward the theoretical. In keeping with this trend, areas such as Atomic Theory and Atomic Structure, The Periodic Law, Molecules and Valence, particularly Co-Valent bonding, are being stressed. The Theory of Ionization has been expanded and brought up to date by including the theories of Bronsted and Lewis in their applic- ation to acids and bases. One day each week is utilized for experi- ments.
General Chemistry has a more functional objective; here the predominant interest lies with its application in the fields of nursing, hygiene, and dietetics.
Physics
We plan to cover the topics of Mechanics, Heat, Light, Sound, and Electricity. Here we attempt to include enough theory and problem solving along with the application of these principles to industry to enable our pupils to enter college or industry at the conclusion of the course. Each Monday, all stu- dents have an opportunity to perform an experiment in the laboratory, usually in a group of two students.
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Biology
In Biology, the classes are making a systematic study of animals with an emphasis on structure and function. This study includes microscopic examination of slides and dissection of the more basic animals.
The enriched program is following much the same pattern but with more emphasis on exactness.
Science Fair
The second annual Science Fair was held in the school auditorium. There were approximately 150 science exhibits on display. Three of the most outstanding projects were chosen and the winners were Charles Havener, Joseph Seremet, and Alvin Tompkins, who represented the school at the Kiwanis Science Fair in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Home Economics
There are many interesting occupations open to women today who are trained in Home Economics; such as, dietitians in hospitals, managers of tea rooms, social workers, designers of houses, decorators of homes, designers of wearing apparel for both men and women, directors of home economic departments in food manufacturing companies and household appliance com- panies, demonstrators on radio and T.V. programs. A woman may not cook food, but she will select it. She may not make her clothes, but she will buy them. She may not own her own home, but she will always be part of one. When Alice Freeman Palmer gave up the presidency of Wellesley College to become a home maker, she said, "There is nothing better than the mak- ing of a true home."
In two class periods a week the fundamentals of both foods and clothing are stressed. The foods work is based on "The Basic Seven" and includes meal planning, table service, the preparation of simple breakfasts and luncheon dishes, refresh- ments for special occasions, and the use and care of the gas and electric kitchen units.
New electric sewing machines are used in the sewing work in the making of aprons, wool skirts and jumpers, cotton blouses, and sport clothes. Furthermore, there are projects including the making of stuffed toys and embroidery, care of the sick, and interior decorating.
The College Preparatory Course
The college preparatory course prepares students for all leading universities and colleges in the country. Many of the
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pupils receive large scholarships, a tribute to their own industry and a tribute to the excellent instruction of their teachers. Stu- dents from this course have entered such leading institutions as the following: Cornell, Connecticut College for Women, Brown University, College of the Holy Cross, Tufts, Dartmouth, Uni- versity of Massachusetts, Boston University, University of Michigan, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard, Smith College, Mount Holyoke, Wellesley College, Simmons College, Columbia University, Carnegie Tech, Lowell Tech, University of Connecticut, University of New Hampshire, Williams College, Colorado College, Ohio State, Col- lege of New Rochelle, California Institute of Technology, Georgia Tech, Pennsylvania State College, Northeastern Uni- versity, Westminster College, Bates, Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy, Colby College, Purdue University, Michigan School of Mining and Engineering, Michigan State, Springfield College, Pembroke, Emmanuel, Albertus Magnus, plus most of the leading business colleges and nursing schools.
Student Council Activities
The Student Council of the Mary E. Wells High School plays an important part between students and administration. This organization is under the direction of Miss Rose Brodeur. The values of the organization are manifold.
1. Pupils participate in or manage extra-curricular affairs.
2. Responsibility, initiative, and leadership are developed.
3. Proper student-faculty relations are promoted.
4. Training in worthy citizenship is furnished.
5. The general welfare of the school is promoted.
6. The internal administration of the school is aided.
The Fred E. Corbin Chapter of the National Honor Society
The local chapter of the National Honor Society, named in honor of the late Mr. Fred E. Corbin, inducted thirty-five mem- bers during the past year. The most recent induction was honored by Superintendent of Schools Robert L. Fox, who spoke at the ceremony.
The following students were inducted into the society dur- ing the past year:
February 1960
Seniors
Theresa Boudreau Daniel Bousquet Judith Brown Richard Brown
Juniors
Diane Adamick
Richard Bucknam Linda Chapman Beverly Gauthier
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Judith Fitts Nancy Hajec Andrew Hall Prudence Lavigueur Robert Mahan Bruce Robertson Dorothea Vangel Diana Yanka
Louise Jovan Dorothy Karbowski Mary Ann Libuda Mary Mckinstry Martha McMaster Patricia Nolan
November 1960
Seniors
William Bowen Diane Lafrance
Roger Lavallee Linda Lomme Diane Sawicki Christine Shea Janice Splaine
Juniors George Bednarz Jill Lamarine Diane Landry Robert Polakowski
Peter Seguin David Spielvogel
Assemblies
Assemblies are held every other week. These assemblies are of immense value to any student body, inasmuch as they are not only educational but explore the various phases of school life. Furthermore, they widen and deepen the interest of the pupils and serve as a means of developing public opinion and appreciation. The types of assemblies fall into many categories; namely, education, music, rallies, drama, club programs, movies, entertainment, installations, science, commerce and business, observance of special days, and guidance.
The assemblies are held in the auditorium of the high school.
Recommendations
There are several recommendations that I would like to make at this time:
1. That a teacher-librarian be appointed
2. That more lockers be installed until enough are fur- nished to take care of all pupils' belongings, coats, rubbers, etc.
3. That the industrial arts program be expanded in order that those pupils who are not interested in a trade education may have the benefit from allied courses.
4. That a biology laboratory be installed so that pupils may conduct experiments to increase their interest in the subject.
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5. That a survey be made to determine the proper methods of lighting all rooms in the school.
6. That money be appropriated for assembly programs.
7. That after ten years of consecutive service, teachers and administrators be given sabbatical leave at full pay for professional study or travel.
8. That a yearly allotment of not less than $1500 be appropriated for the band-an unusually worthy group which has been self-supporting.
I wish to express my appreciation to the townspeople for their continued efforts in behalf of the Mary E. Wells High School, and I extend my thanks to the School Department for its support.
REPORT OF THE UNIVERSITY
EXTENSION AND EVENING VOCATIONAL COURSES
DR. JAMES M. ROBERTSON, Director
Classes in evening vocational subjects were offered again this year and proved to be very well attended. The following vocational classes were started:
Elementary Sewing Two Classes
Advanced Dressmaking One class
Cooking
One class
University Extension classes were offered in the commercial field:
Elementary Typewriting, Part 1 One class
Office Machines One class
These classes were conducted under the supervision of the State Department of Education and were instructed by ac- credited teachers.
Other classes in the vocational, commercial, and academic fields will be offered when the demand for them is sufficient to form such classes.
REPORT OF COLE TRADE HIGH SCHOOL
RAYMOND L. W. BENOIT, Director
Secretary of Labor, James Mitchell, said, "Industry is the life blood of any community." Mr. George Wells, Deputy Com- missioner of Commerce, said recently that when a new industry is contemplating locating in a community, one of the major factors which they consider is the supply of skilled labor. He implied that communities must do something about training young people into the trades if a community is to keep old industry and get new industry to establish in this community. Mr. Wells also made a strong plea for training technicians to meet the demanding needs of industry. I discussed this prob-
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lem, based on needs, with the personnel people in one of the largest companies in our community, and they support the fact that there is a need for strengthening our present school with the addition of a thirteenth and fourteenth year in order to train technicians.
The new construction has disrupted our program some- what, but by September 1961 we hope to be back to normalcy.
We are pleased to report that the Ella M. Cole Chapter of the National Honor Society was granted a charter by the National Council. The charter members were selected and passed the initial requisite by meeting with the advisers for the new chapter on November 1, 1960. These same members were in- ducted by members of the Fred E. Corbin Chapter of Mary E. Wells High School on December 19. This new chapter should be a stimulus to many students to strive for good scholarship and to strive for good citizenship.
The charter members are: Kenneth Bachand, William Black, Bruce Gardner, Oliver Jamieson, Richard Savage, Robert Sweet, and Robert Trombley.
The officers are:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Robert Sweet Robert Trombley Kenneth Bachand Oliver Jamieson
GRADUATES - 1960
Cabinetmakers
Richard Allen Gauthier James Walter Ohop Robert Xavier St. Laurent
Paul Armand Gendreau
Draftsmen
Georges Joseph Allard
Henry Anthony Maramo, Jr.
Richard Anthony Polakowski Nicholas Amo Sylvestri, Jr.
Electricians
Ronald Clarence Arsenault Walter Henry Belanger
Gerald Girard John Edmund Laabs
Machinists
Peter James Borey
Ronald Michael Curboy
Joseph Frank Lepare Donald Archie Masse Frank Lewis Partlow
Rodney William Kelly
Ronald Vincent Lariviere
Leonide Robert Lemire
Normand Ernest Patenaude Frederick Joseph Schur
Richard Eugene Tremblay
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Metalsmiths
Joseph Edward Ignasiak
John Joseph Malagrida
Jan Edward Manning John Thomas Welch
Class Officers
President
John Malagrida
Vice President
Frederick Schur
Secretary
Leonide Lemire
Treasurer
Frank Partlow
Class Adviser
Mr. David F. Knight
Awards
American Legion Post 31 Award (Good Citizenship)
Ronald Lariviere
American Legion Music Award
Walter Belanger
Director's Gold "C"
Frank Partlow
English
Mathematics
Science
Nicholas Sylvestri Ronald Lariviere Henry Maramo Walter Belanger
Social Studies
In conclusion, I thank the Townspeople, the School Com- mittee, the Advisory Board, the Superintendent of Schools, the faculty, the office staffs, and our custodian for their valuable aid in helping to make the Vocational Education Program a success in the Town of Southbridge.
REPORT OF CHARLTON STREET, EASTFORD ROAD AND WEST STREET SCHOOLS
RAOUL O. LATAILLE, Supervising Elementary Principal
The year 1960 has brought about many changes in the general organization of the School Department in anticipation of the completion of the new high school. The most important phases of these new developments have materialized this year at the elementary level.
The adoption of a new administrative plan, that of one . supervising principal for all elementary grades with a teaching principal assistant in each of the Charlton Street, Eastford Road, and West Street Schools, is proving very satisfactory. For the first time, our Southbridge Elementary Schools are under the direct administration and supervision of one person.
This plan will assure more uniformity of operation, better standardization and strengthening of the curriculum, and an increased level of achievement for all grades. With the coopera- tion of teachers and parents, and support of the administra- tion, we feel that the change will benefit our school system.
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The incorporation of a remedial reading teacher in the elementary grades is a great step forward in coping with needs of the pupils with reading difficulties. For many years, we have been cognizant of reading weaknesses and have tried our best to eliminate them within the classroom or by after-school help. This addition is another very important way of providing for individual differences. It is our hope that the year 1961 will bring about more and better adjustments along this line.
The academic progress of pupils is always desirable but almost impossible unless the pupils are physically fit. The addi- tion of a physical education teacher specifically for the elemen- tary grades is achieving its purpose of developing strength, vigor, vitality, and coordination in each individual according to his capacity. Again, it is our hope that this all-important phase of education will be continued at the elementary level in the years to come.
A new, more attractive, and more comprehensive report card has been adopted by the elementary schools. The new card is more in keeping with modern educational trends. This change has brought about more accurate numerical subject marks in the intermediate grades instead of the ambiguous and misleading letter denominations. The new report card also in- cludes a character or personality evaluation of each pupil. This phase of the report acquaints the child at an early age, and the parent, too, with the type of evaluation to which he will be subjected later in practically every field of endeavor.
A new English language textbook series has been adopted and is proving very satisfactory at all grade levels. It eliminates the conglomeration of language textbooks that were in use pre- viously. Also, the completion of the science series in grades 1, 2, and 3 now reduces the need for up-to-date basic textbooks to social studies at the elementary level.
Sets of social studies textbooks from publishers have been received and others are on order. These sets will be distributed soon to the teachers for examination, and selection will be made in the spring. It is our sincere hope that these will be approved and purchased so that, by September 1961, the elementary grades will be supplied in every basic subject with an up-to-date textbook.
My main recommendation for the elementary schools is that a complete survey be made by unbiased educators to establish much closer correlation of techniques and abilities in reading, phonics, spelling, and composition. My 1959 report stresses the importance and the immediate need for this cor- relation.
I am certain that an earnest effort in this direction would also help greatly to overcome some of the difficulties we are now encountering in these subjects. It would also increase the
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understanding and the achievement of all pupils at all grade levels in the elementary schools.
All elementary teachers are to be commended for their splendid cooperation and their truly efficient work in the class- rooms. Without them obviously a school system cannot exist, but with the conscientious teachers now in the elementary schools, we will make great strides forward in the future.
I wish to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appre- ciation and thanks to Mr. Fox, our Superintendent, for his help; to Mrs. Camella Dintini, Miss Constance L'Ecuyer, Mr. Vincent Puracchio, for their cooperation and assistance in the administration of the three elementary schools; to all parents for their understanding of our work; and to the custodians for their work in keeping the buildings comfortable and clean.
REPORT OF MARCY STREET, MECHANIC STREET, AND PLEASANT STREET SCHOOLS
R. JOSEPH RACINE, Supervising Principal of Grades 6, 7, and 8
As this report is being written, we are in the midst of our first school year with grades 6, 7, and 8 under one supervisory head.
We are in the process of evaluating and consolidating the curriculum of these grades on a sound and unified basis. Subject- matter chairmen have been appointed to preside over a series of faculty meetings which are being held to discuss curriculum, and to unify grade goals and objectives.
The subject-matter chairmen are: Science, John Bower; Social Studies, Patricia Callahan; Arithmetic, Irene Gough; Literature and Spelling, Claire Kirk; English, Celestine Sweet.
Teaching techniques, purposeful pupil projects, and integral use of workbooks will be an important part of the faculty dis- cussions and findings. It is by sharing these valuable experiences that our curriculum and teaching will consistently improve.
Grades, 6, 7, and 8 are now departmentally taught grades and require mature teachers, with at least two years of teaching experience, and sound knowledge of one subject-matter field, their major.
These grades are critically transitional in nature as regards pupil mental, physical, emotional, and social growth. At this early secondary level, organized knowledge and emphasis on sub- ject matter take on increasing importance. Teachers with the finest combination of qualifications are needed in this area.
It is highly recommended that no pupil from grade 5 be promoted to grade 6 if he fails in reading comprehension. The ability to read for comprehension is basic and imperative in early
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secondary school work, where departmental teaching begins. A pupil must enter these grades with a mastery of reading skills, to assure minimum success, or he will flounder hopelessly.
Several grades have maximum enrollments of up to 36 pu- pils. This is too heavy a teacher load, and pupils become lost in the impersonal type of atmosphere that necessarily prevails with such large groups. We must strive to hold to a maximum of 30 pupils, for the best type of teaching and pupil performance. Even the excellent teacher, who in the final analysis is the key figure in any teaching-learning situation, and the very backbone of the school system, is heavily hampered by a large enrollment. The tragic end-result is a considerable deprivation of the individual attention that so many less-than-average pupils desperately require for educational survival.
A study of the textbook needs of grades 6, 7, and 8 will be completed by April 1. Our social studies textbooks are prac- tically obsolete, and the English language textbooks in grades 7 and 8 must be replaced with the latest edition of a detailed and comprehensive textbook.
Science demonstration tables and equipment have been in- stalled in each science classroom. As soon as the chemical ma- terials have been received, these tables will be in full use.
I would like to express to Mr. Fox my gratitude for his con- tinuous solicitude for the total welfare of all pupils, and my thanks to the teaching principals, and teachers, for their splendid cooperation in all curriculum and administrative endeavors.
REPORT OF THE ADVANCED ELEMENTARY PROGRAM
EDITH A. MANZI, Supervisor
The program for the academically talented students in the elementary schools was continued for the second year at the Marcy Street School. The sixth-graders received more chal- lenge, acceleration, and enrichment in all subject areas, while the fifth-graders were oriented to their new course of study.
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